Tag Archives: suspense

I woke up at 2 am with an epiphany of sorts and the deep desire to share it with you. I realize that I have not blogged in some time – too busy with writing and life… but this you have got to hear.

How many authors really LIKE reviews? Hmmm. I for one have reviews that I like, but I also have some that I want to grab the reviewer and shake them and say…. “You don’t even know the details of the story; you are missing MAJOR parts and your reading comprehension is way off base – how could you possible understand it???”

That being said, even those who have the wrong name for the main character, have no idea of the year or context of the book, or have missed some giant detail that makes everything they know about a book completely false – even they can and do have some merit. That is exactly the case with a review I just saw come through a few days ago that says that one of my books is NOT a romance, and to her I can emphatically reply – NO – it’s not!!!

I have said this to so many people at meet and greets, Facebook Events, and book signings – I don’t write romance, even though my books almost always contain a romantic element. The people in my stories are always caught up in an incredible adventure, sometimes an incredibly HORRIBLE adventure; that’s what my stories are about. They are suspense and/or thriller. When, how and even IF they fall in love is something that happens along the way, not the reason their story is being told. Sometimes they end up together and sometimes they don’t, and this isn’t CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE, so YOU do not get to pick the ending.

My books will never be Harlequin’s; they will never follow a ‘romantic arch’ or fit in any cookie-cutter mold you want to stuff them into with a neatly predictable plot line. There are going to be surprises you didn’t see coming. There are going to be elements you never thought of and choices (hard damn choices) you aren’t always going to understand or like. That’s what a Samantha Jacobey book is all about, and I have enough GREAT reviews to know that is exactly what MANY readers enjoy most about my work.

So what did I gain from this cathartic awakening? I realized that I LOVE reviews – even bad ones! I love to have people say things that get me to thinking and considering the possibilities; I guess that’s the debater in me. They help me get to the deepest question of them all – why? I find myself asking that most often after someone has blasted me on Amazon or Goodreads, and like with all living things, I find that struggle and strife are good for me; they help me to reflect and make me stronger in the end.

Therefore, I want to say a HUGE thank you to everyone who writes a review – good, bad, wrong, or ugly. You keep voicing those opinions, and I will keep putting out books that make you scratch your head and say… “Damn; I didn’t see that coming.”

Get all 3 of the Writer’s Block Short stories for FREE Dec. 24th and 25th

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The Agent – An author of dark tales is looking for someone to represent her. An agent who thinks all writers are the same wants the job. Will one lunch date be enough to convince him that she’s different… hyperurl.co/yv9bg9

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The Obsession – An author of dark tales hits a rough patch in her relationship with her significant other; one that lands her in the psych ward. Is this a speed bump or a major detour on the road to success… hyperurl.co/zjn027

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The Storm – An author of dark tales is off on another adventure. After picking up her sister, Sam and Mel are in the Houston area to attend a book signing. However, things are never easy for the middle-aged writer, and a hurricane threatens to spoil more than just their weekend… hyperurl.co/ta3mbp

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THANK YOU ALL for your reading, reviewing and support for 2015 and I hope to keep you on your toes in the year to come!!

For those of you who are not aware, book 4 of my series will be out next month, and for the first time ever, I have a publisher who has provided me with ARC copies to hand out so that we can have some reviews of the book BEFORE it actually goes on sale. I was very excited about this prospect, and couldn’t wait to see what my longest followers have to say about the newest chapter in this epic tale, as that is who I gave the opportunity to see it first – those who have been with me since the beginning.

Well, I see there is a review posted on Goodreads today, and it is from none other than JAYNE HYATT, author of Looking for the Good Life. Now, before I share this review with you, let me tell you a little bit about my history with this wonderful woman…

Jayne and I met through one of those ‘review swapping clubs’ back when I put CAPTIVE out the first time, with a paid publisher / self publisher, under the title A NEW LIFE: LIFE OF RECOVERY. The cover was horrid, the editing mediocre, and the expense was far more than I anticipated when I first decided to give it a go.

So, we traded our books – she reviewed mine, and gave it 4 stars (a good book, but not what she normally liked, as she put it) and I read hers and gave it 4 stars for the same reason… her book was way too ‘gentle’ for my rough and overly dramatic taste. Now, the story might have ended there, except that book 2 came out, and Jayne had mentioned that she was curious what Tori was up to next, as we had kept in touch after our chance meeting, and I am very glad that we have, as she really is a great lady (oh, and you should check out her book, too, as it really was good).

Anyway, Book 2 is much calmer than book 1, so I was thinking, OK this is my chance to get 5 stars from her, but alas, she says… “I liked it, but I didn’t LOVE it…” (still not what she really wants or likes in a book), but it was another 4 stars and a good review, so I knew I would take it at face value and keep trying.

Book 3 – now that’s a love story, my kind of course. Sweet as I know how to make it. And again, I let Jayne know that it was coming out and she reads, and again I am thinking this time I have nailed it, and do you know what she said??? SHE SAID IT DIDN’T HAVE ENOUGH ACTION!!! Can you believe that??? And again, only 4 stars… sigh.

So, book 4 comes – and yup… only 4 stars AGAIN!!! BUT this time… she wrote a review that I MUST SHARE with all of you… because to be honest Jayne has been one of my followers that has kept me going and believing that I am doing a good job. She convinced me of this when she told me that my books were too violent, too graphic, and had too much sex in them… BUT she JUST HAS TO READ THEM… to see what happens next :D. Those are like magic words to me…

I have two things to say about all of this. First – THANK YOU JAYNE – I love to see what you are going to say, because you are such a great litmus test for me. And Second – I am going to get 5 stars from her… I have 3 more tries coming up, and THAT is my goal… I want to knock Jayne’s socks off!! You have been warned…

OK – here is her review… and I would love to get some comments on this – tell me what you guys think!!!

I stumbled onto this series and was surprised to find myself hooked right away. I don’t usually read romances that are as gritty or sexually explicit as this one, although for some readers, those may well be the very elements that draw them in. However, for me, the hook was the main character, Tori, her situation, and her gritty determination.Samantha Jacobey has managed to convey Tori’s life in such a way(making very good use of those “gritty” elements mentioned above) that the reader can well imagine what it might be like to be in that place. It’s harrowing, frightening, unthinkable; yet the reader will want to see it through, will want to know that Tori survives, on her own terms. That’s what makes this series so interesting.

After reading book 3 of this series I was rather surprised to find myself commenting that, “There was less action this time around, and I admit I’m hoping book four ramps things up a bit.” It seems Ms. Jacobey was listening, as book 4, EXPOSED, moves Tori back into her old renegade world, whether she likes it or not. Hence, there’s plenty of action, danger and intrigue for her to deal with, as well as a new-found family tie.

She also has to do some soul searching about ‘what and who’ she really is and what she really wants, while also coming to terms with abilities and desires that she is, intellectually, not completely at ease with. She’s learning something we all have to learn– to embrace our darker side and accept that’s also an integral ‘part’ of who we are but doesn’t completely define us. These elements make the book grittier than the last one, which will please most fans of this series, I think.

Of course, the book ends on a cliffhanger. Once again, we are given a glimpse of just how deep the rabbit hole may go as we witness the forces that surround Tori as they discuss their nefarious plans. There’s still a lot of mysteries to be solved, and a long road for Tori to travel before she has true freedom from her past so she can build a new and better future with the man she loves.

Keep writing, Samantha Jacobey … I want to know what happens next!

Special Note: I was given a preview copy of this book for reviewing purposes with the understanding that I would give my honest opinion.

Yesterday, I was feeling down about the ending of my first blog tour, and them BAM – BOOK BLITZ!!!

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Now, to be honest, I have no idea what happens on a book blitz, so I am REALLY EXCITED about this… all I have at this point is a schedule. The names on the list are enough to get my heart racing cause I LOVE THESE GUYS!!! I will post that for you here, and we will find out the rest together!!!

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Oh, and I have another post coming, more personal. I have something kind of big that I may need to announce here very soon, so just a heads up to keep your eye out for that. And, I am curious – if I were to show up at a city near you for a book signing, would you come to meet me?

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Ok, BOOK BLITZ – here it is and I hope you enjoy!!! I will get some URLs added to this as I get them =)

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May 6

BLUSHING DIVAS BOOK REVIEWS

K&S Book Blog

Cruising Susan Book Reviews

Panty dropping Book Blog

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May 7

Breny’s Book Obsession

Here is some of what I read (I have no idea what this means or what it goes with =/)

Well, today marks the ending of another first in my career as a writer… the closing of my first blog tour. I am a little sad today, and keep reminding myself that everything comes to an end, but there will be more to come. Lots more, as there will be a tour for each of the next two books, BOUND and ENTWINED, leading up to the release of EXPOSED – wohoo!!!

If you missed it, the spots are all there, along with my interview questions and the special guest posts. There is also the giveaway that is pinned on my FB author page, in case anyone wants to play along for a few great prizes.

Then we had Reading Renee ( http://readingrenee.com/ ), who also had a nice spread, but who is a tweeting sweetheart to boot WHOOP!!! Her post is still available to view, just scroll down to the 30th to see it.

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We did have that little snafu with the rafflecopter, which is now fixed, so if you have not gotten in, feel free to do so, as the first entry does NOT require tweeting and is a free entry for everyone (of course you may tweet if you wish and it would be greatly appreciated 😀 )

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Today we were over at the ‘A’ Jurnale ( http://www.the-a-jurnale.blogspot.com/ ) where I have a guest post with a peek into my day that is still showing, in case anyone is interested in having a look. I had a bit of fun writing it and was surprised I didn’t get any comments, so if you have any I would love to hear them!!!

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Tomorrow – we have the fantastic Angela and the Wicked Reads Review team ( http://vkwickedreads.wordpress.com/ ), and let me tell you, there are some great ladies over there who have been leaving reviews all over creation for my books. Therefore, I can’t wait to see what they have come up with :D. It will be later in the day before that goes live, so I will let you know as soon as it is ready, as I know many of you will be wanting to see it as well…

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Gosh another great day!!! Hope it was for you guys as well, and everyone have a wonderful night =)

I have a ton of upcoming events, and I have learned that two of them have spaces available, so I wanted to get this out there ASAP, as I know many of you have been following and supporting me since the beginning.

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If you have a blog page and want to participate in either of these events, please feel free to sign up – I know she wants as many in the book blitz as possible and it is happening soon. The blog tour is farther down the line, but get your name in quick so you get the pick of the spots =)

PRICES ARE STILL LOW!!! That’s right, the sale may be over, but the regular prices on these great books are still below average 😀

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WHY? Because I want my stories to be affordable. You can get the ENTIRE first book in the series for ONLY $2.99, and each FULL LENGTH NOVEL after that is ONLY $3.79!!!

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Get your copy of CAPTIVE TODAY – find out what you’ve been missing!!!

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Tori’s story begins with CAPTIVE – After years of being ruled by a gang of bikers called the Dragons, Tori Farrell uses her skills to free herself from the grasp of the people who vowed they would never let her go. Taken in by the FBI, she soon finds herself lost in a web of lies and deceit. She thought escaping the Dragons would put her on a path to a new and better life, but now she must face the cold hard truth… there is always a price to be paid. CURRENTLY RATED 4.5 stars on AMAZON

Continue her story and get BOUND – Bound to a halfway house under orders of the FBI, Tori Farrell takes things day by day, working to move forward and to face her own addictions. When a mysterious man walks into Tori’s life, she believes she’s found someone she can trust. But sometimes danger doesn’t hide cloaked in darkness…it appears to be everything you’ve been looking for, but is really the one thing you should be running from… CURRENTLY RATED 4.3 stars on AMAZON

Ready for more? Get ENTWINED – Confronted by a ghost from her past, Tori Farrell decides to run in an attempt to protect her new friends. She sets out with a desire to disappear and hide in anonymity. Her plan only holds one flaw – a man she can’t shake, who won’t take no for an answer. Who is this mysterious stranger and what does he want from her? Tori will soon discover that getting a new life means she must first lay to rest the demons of her past. CURRENTLY RATED 4.5 stars on AMAZON

This is a fantastically good book. It is so well written that pages almost turn themselves as the story unfolds. I missed a night’s sleep because I just couldn’t stop reading. The subject matter is definitely harrowing, and yet it is told in such a calm way, that it almost isn’t – which is crazy, but just how it is. I am sure that there is more angst to come, but the ending is perfect – no cliffhanger, just hope.

All I can do is suggest that you read it – keep an open mind, and see just how strong a person can be.

Thank you Ms Jacobey, an absolute treat; now safely in my reread collection.

BOUND – Mar 18, 2014 Ruthie Taylor rated it 5 of 5 stars

Wow! I am so invested in this story that I just read straight through till I finished … with a cliffhanger ending

The author writes with such an easy style and has an amazing story to tell. My emotions were high, low, worried, smiling at little victories and delighted as Tori’s story progresses. I love the way in which multiple stories are being intertwined, so that the reader dare not make assumptions, as they will be shattered, I am sure.

If you haven’t yet read Captive, then please read it first, or you will miss the whole point of this story. There are back references that refresh the memory, but that is all. Anyway, how you could you not want to read the first in this great series. I can tell I am in the for the long haul.

(Luckily I am in the very privileged position of having book three ready to go!) – WICKED READS REVIEW TEAM